Insurance: The Parachute

Insurance is a parachute. If you trip down the stairs, stumble a little, you don’t need it. But if you fall off a cliff? Or the big bad hurricane blows your house down–you’ll be grateful for it. Insurance is not designed to prevent/correct minor problems. It’s designed to keep you from financial ruin.

There are all kinds of insurance policies to consider. Wherever you live and whatever kind of insurance you buy make certain to shop around. Rates are competitive, and some companies have better reputations than others. Think hard about saving money by increasing your deductibles.

Remember, insurance is a business. While their advertisements offer images of big hands and wide umbrellas, don’t for a moment think that they like paying offclaims. It reduces their profit margins. So double-do your homework and find an insurance company that has satisfied customers. Don’t depend on your friend’s brother-in-law’s-second-cousin-twice-removed to advise you on which company and which policy to buy. The responsibility to choose a good reputable company is on you— and you alone.

We love our top rated, by Consumer Reports, mutual insurance company ; they are wonderful to work with (our house burned down and they hung in there with us) and if they have a good year they distribute dividends.

Be a smart woman on a budget—cover your assets by investing in the right protection!

a good insurance agent, that really cares about you is also a wise choice. although buying your coverage on line can be convenient, you won’t get the kind of personal attention that you’d get with a local agent. and always read through your policy to know & understand what is covered & what is excluded.

I actually sell insurance. If you don’t already have it you may have trouble getting it. A lot of companies are issuing moratoriums because of the hurricanes. With the weather and the gap in coverage on the house?? You might be in a bit of trouble…

Ps Faithe I also work for Allstate and there isn’t a lock on all policies here. You must work for a local agent. The 800 number has the ability to sell, with exception of a few counties in certain states. It’s not that dramatic.

wait until you go through a catastropic claim. my mother died in a house fire. allstate drug their feet. took 10 months to restore the house and put every cheap thing they could in it, plus they dont back up what they preach. i hate insurance co. i dont even carry it now. they SUCK

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